Raymond Wayne Whitted MD, MPH

…dedicated to safe, state-of-the-art surgery and health life-styles for women of all ages

R. Wayne Whitted MD, MPH

8740 N Kendall Dr. Suite 101

Miami, Florida 33176

Phone: 305-596-3744

www.drwhitted.net

Bone Health

Bones play many roles in the body. They provide structure, protect organs, anchor muscles, and store calcium. Adequat

calcium consumption and weight bearing physical activity build strong bones, optimizes bone mass, and may reduce the

risk of osteoporosis later in life.

For more information on bone health and osteoporosis please visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation online at http://www.nof.org/

Peak Bone Mass

Peak bone mass refers to the genetic potential for bone density. By the age of 30, the average woman has acquired most of her skeletal mass.

A large decline in bone mass occurs in older adults, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. For women this occurs around the time of

menopause.

It is important for young girls to reach their peak bone mass in order to maintain bone health throughout life. A person with high bone mass

as a young adult will be more likely to have a higher bone mass later in life. Inadequate calcium consumption and physical activity early on

could result in a failure to achieve peak bone mass in adulthood

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis or "porous bone" is a disease of the skeletal system characterized by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissue.

Osteoporosis leads to an increase risk of bone fractures typically in the wrist, hip, and spine.

While men and women of all ages and ethnicities can develop osteoporosis, some of the risk factors for osteoporosis include those who are

 Female

 White/Caucasian

 Post menopausal women

 Older adults

 Small in body size

 Eating a diet low in calcium

 Physically inactive

To find out more about the prevalence and risk factors associated with osteoporosis, please visit the National Osteoporosis Foundation Web

site at http://www.nof.org/osteoporosis/stats.htm

Calcium

Calcium is a mineral needed by the body for healthy bones, teeth, and proper function of the heart, muscles, and nerves. The body cannot

produce calcium; therefore, it must be absorbed through food. Good sources of calcium include

 Dairy products—low fat or nonfat milk, cheese, and yogurt

 Dark green leafy vegetables—bok choy and broccoli

 Calcium fortified foods—orange juice, cereal, bread, soy beverages, and tofu products

 Nuts—almonds

Recommended amount of calcium vary for individuals. Below is a table of adequate intakes as outlined by the National Academy of Science.

Recommended Calcium Intakes

Ages Amount mg/day

Birth–6 months 210

6 months–1 year 270

1–3 500

4–8 800

9–13 1300

14–18 1300

19–30 1500

31–50 1500

51–70 1500

70 or older 1200

Pregnant & Lactating 1000

Source: Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium, National Academy of Sciences, 1997

Vitamin D also plays an important role in healthy bone development. Vitamin D helps in the absorption of calcium (this is why milk is

fortified with vitamin D).

For more information on calcium and children visit the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Web site at

http://www.nichd.nih.gov

/milk/milk.cfm.

Weight-Bearing Physical Activity

Regular physical activity has been associated with many positive health benefits including strong bones. Like proper calcium consumption,

adequate weight-bearing physical activity early in life is important in reaching peak bone mass. Weight-bearing physical activities cause

muscles and bones to work against gravity. Some examples of weight bearing physical activities include

 Walking, Jogging, or running

 Tennis or Racquetball

 Field Hockey

 Stair climbing

 Jumping rope

 Basketball

 Dancing

 Hiking

 Soccer

 Weight lifting

Incorporating weight-bearing physical activity into an exercise plan is a great way to keep bones healthy and meet physical activity

recommendations set forth in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

Adults: Engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity [on] most, preferably all, days of the week

Children: Engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate physical activity [on] most, preferably all, days of the week

For more information on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans please visit the Web site at

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/dga/dguide95.html